Shoe closure having a notched clamping lever mounted on a pressure distributing plate



Aug. 1, 1967 R. KLIMA 3,333,302 SHOE CLOSURE HAVING A NOTCHE'D CLAMPING LEVER MOUNTED ON A PRESSURE DISTRIBUTING PLATE Filed Jan. 25, 1965 INVENTOR. ROBERT KLIMA ATTORNEY.

United States Patent ABSTRACT 0F THE DIStZLOSURE A shoe closure particularly for ski-boots having a recessed clamping lever pivotally mounted on a bearing fixed to a shoe closure lap, a pressure distributing plate extending from the bearing to the edge of the closure lap and a resilient connecting member between the bearing and the pressure distributing plate. A support is secured to the other shoe closure lap and may be selectively connected with the recesses of the clamping lever.

The present invention relates to a shoe closure, particularly for ski boots, which includes a clamping lever swingably mounted in a bearing and disposed on one closing lap of the boot and a support disposed on the other closing lap of the boot, which support can be interlocked in recesses of the clamping lever for closing of the shoe closure.

It has been found in the past that, in shoe closures of this type, which are equipped with a short clamping lever bearing in longitudinal direction of the clamping lever, the drawback is present according to which a nearly nonbearable pressure is exerted on the ankle portion by the foot end of the clamping lever-bearing directed towards the edge of the closing lap, particularly at the time a tipping occurs. This pressure causes, however, even by the closed clamping lever, appreciable pain on the back of the foot. Also the known expedient, to form the clamping lever bearing comparatively long and rigid in the direction toward the edge of the closing lap, brings about only partly relief, which can hardly be effective, due to the fact that the closing laps loose their flexibility in view of the rigid long stretched clamping lever hearing, which arrangement requires an increased closing force.

It is, therefore, one object of the present invention to provide a shoe closure, particularly for ski boots, which avoids the drawbacks of the known structures.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a shoe closure, particularly for ski-boots, wherein the bearing of the clamping lever is connected, merely on its side pointing away from the edge of the particular closing lap, with the closing lap and on its side pointing toward the edge of the particular closing lap is connected with a pressure distributing plate extending from the bearing of the clamping lever to the edge of the closing lap, by connecting means resilient in the direction perpendicular to the face of the closing lap and permitting a relative swinging about a geometrical axis parallel to the swinging axis of said clamping lever, which pressure distributing plate is rigidly connected with the closing lap preferably merely at its end pointing toward the edge of the closing lap.

The arrangement, according to the present invention of a shoe closure of the type set forth above provides, due to the arrangement of the pressure distributing plate, a transmission of the forces on a larger face, whereby simultaneously the forces occurring in certain position of the closing parts, are effectively reduced by the resilient connection between the bearing of the clamping lever and the pressure distributing plate. The flexibility of the closing laps is hardly interfered with by the parts of the closure provided thereon, since the connection between the bearing of the clamping lever and the pressure distributing plate permits a relative swinging movement and both parts are secured only on the ends pointing away from each other on the closing laps.

It is often required to vary the strength of the fit of the boot on the foot during the wearing thereof. Thus, for instance, ski-boots can fit loosely on the foot during climbing, during standing etc., in order not to interfere with the blood circulation, While during a downward run the skiboot must engage the foot very closely. A corresponding variation of the fit of the boot can be brought about by hooking-in the support in different recesses of the clamping lever of the closure. In case of iced closures and in case of partly numb fingers due to the influence of the cold, the hooking-in of the support in a recess, nevertheless, can be performed, which does not warrant the optimum fit of the boot.

It is, thus, still another object of the present invention to provide a shoe closure, particularly for ski-boots, to avoid this last-mentioned drawback, by designing the recesses in the clamping lever such that the support is suspended safely in both end positions of the clamping lever in the recesses. By this arrangement, it is possible to start with the closed position of the clamping lever, in which a more solid fit of the boot is obtained on the foot, to obtain a looser fit of the boot by simply turning over the clamping lever, without releasing thereby the connection between the closing laps of the boot, whereupon, if required, by a return swing of the clamping lever, again a solid fit of the boot can be restored. This further development of the present invention is brought about such that the recesses, provided in the clamping lever and serving for hooking-in the support, have two notchings oppositely disposed in longitudinal direction of the clamping lever, whereby the support rests in one end position of the clamping lever in one of the notchings and the support rests in the other end position of the clamping lever in the other of the notchings.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a shoe closure, particularly for ski-boots, wherein a support of the closure disposed on a closure-lap is mounted on the latter longitudinally displaceable thereon, in order to obtain a further division of the closure widths given by the distances between the recesses in the clamping lever. This arrangement of the closure, designed in accordance with the present invention, has the characteristic that the support is swingably secured on the particular closure lap by means of a bearing, which is equipped with longitudinal slots, in which the portion of the support defining the swinging axis of the support, is displaceably mounted in longitudinal direction of the clamping lever, on which bearing a flap is disposed, which is equipped with at least one projection, arranged cross-wise at about the center of the longitudinal slots, in the closed position of the'flap, in which the latter engages the bearing foot of the hearing, which projection divides the range of displaceability of the support.

With these and other objects in View which will become apparent in the following detailed description, the present invention will be clearly understood in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a sectional elevation of the shoe closure in its closed position, the clamping lever being shown in closing position;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the shoe closure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevation of the shoe closure indicating the clamping lever in open position;

FIG. 4 is an elevation of another embodiment of the shoe closure indicating the clamping lever with its bearing and pressure dividing plate;

FIG. is a top plan view of the pressure dividing plate; and

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the clamping lever bearing, disclosed in FIG. 1.

Referring now to the drawing and in particular to FIGS. 1 to 3, 5 and 6, the shoe closure, designed in accordance with the present invention, comprises a clamping lever 1, which is mounted by means of an axle 2 on a clamping lever bearing 3. The bearing 3 is secured to the closure lap 5 of the shoe by means of a member 4. A support 7 is disposed at another closure lap 6, which support 7 can be hooked in recesses 8 of the clamping lever 1 for closing of the closure. The securing positions of the bearing 3 are disposed on the side of the bearing 3 which is pointing away from the edge 5a of the closure lap 5. The side of the bearing 3 which is pointing toward the edge 5a, is in resilient and swingable connection with a pressure distributing plate 9. The latter is rigidly secured to the closure lap 5 by securing means 10 at its end 9a disposed adjacent the edge 5a of the closure lap.

The pressure distributing plate 9 has at both of its longitudinal sides bent-up laps or tabs 11, the ends 12 of which are bent over toward each other. One end 3a of the bearing 3 .is disposed in the thus-created gripping means, whereby a small r bber block 13 operating as a spring means, is inserted between the bearing 3 and the pressure distributing plate 9. The spring can also be designed in a different manner, for instance, as a spring blade 14, as indicated in FIG. 4. In order to prevent a removal of the bearing 3 from the gripping means formed by the laps 11 with their ends 12, an upwardly bent nose 3b is arranged on the bearing 3. Due to the movable and resilient connection of the clamping lever bearing 3, from which the strong pressure originate at the time of tipping and in tensioned position with the plate 9, the latter adjusts itself during closing of the clamping lever 1 or in closed lever position into a position direction as required by the foot, so that the center pressure of the clamping lever bearing 3 is assumed by the plate 9 by means of the pressure damping rubber or steel-resiliency and is distributed over its entire surface and, thereby, the painful pressure point, which is painful for the foot, is removed. The pressure distributing plate 9 can be made selectively of rigid or resilient material. The clamping lever 1 is secured to the bearing 3 such, that it has a swinging range of about 180. In its closed position, a non-desirable opening of the clamping lever 1 is not possible in view of the chosen position of the axle 2.

In order to permit a longitudinal displaceability of the support 7, the latter is swingably secured to the closure lap 6 by means of a bearing 15, whereby the support part 711 defining the swinging axle of the support 7 is displaceably mounted in longitudinal slots 16. The longitudinal slots 16 are disposed in laps a of the bearing 15. A flap 18 is swingably mounted between the laps 15:: on an axle 17. The flap 18 is equipped with two projections 18a, which, in the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing, which is the closed position of the flap 18, in which the latter engages the foot 15b of the bearing 15, divide the range of displaceability of the support 7 in the longitudinal slots 16. For a safe retaining of the flap 18 in the closed position, suitably a spring (not shown) can be provided. If the support 7 is positioned at the right portion of the longitudinal slots 16, a simple moving of the latter towards the left permits a lifting of the flap 18, due to the inclined position of the projections 18a, and the part 7a of the support 7 can enter the left portion of the longitudinal slots 16, whereupon the flap 18 closes again and secures then the support part 7a in this position. By selection of the length of the longitudinal slots 16, according to about half of the distance of the recesses 8 in the clamping lever 1, a suitably fine adjustment of the closure is made possible. For the displacement of the support 7 from the left half to the right half of the longitudirliglb slots 16, the flap 18 is to be lifted manually at its end The recesses 8 provided in the clamping lever 1 have two oppositely disposed notchings 8a and 8b, seen in the longitudinal direction of the clamping lever 1. The notchings 8a make possible an engagement of the support 7 in the closed closure position, that is, in the position shown in FIG. 1. The notchings 8b are provided for the purpose to assure a retaining of the support 7 in the recesses 8 in that position of the closure, which is shown in FIG. 3 and, thereby, to assure still a connection between the closure laps 5 and 6. Thus, the rigid fit of the shoe can be loosened for the purpose of walking from the position of the closure shown in FIG. 1, merely by turning the clamping lever 1. In order to obtain again for a downward run the required fit in the shoe, no new width adjustment is required, rather the clamping lever 1 is again simply turned into its closing position. This is a particular advantage, since with cold fingers and gloves in most instances the sensitivity for an exact adjustment is no more available.

While I have disclosed several embodiments of the present invention, it is to be understood that these embodiments are given by example only and not in a limiting sense, the scope of the present invention being determined by the objects and. the claims.

I claim:

1. A shoe closure, particularly for ski-boots, and skiboots having a first closure lap, and a second closure lap, the shoe closure comprising a bearing,

a clamping lever having ed on said bearing an first closure lap,

a support secured to said second closure lap and connected selectively with said recesses of said clamping lever,

said bearing of said clamping lever being connected with said first closure lap merely on the side of the latter away from the edge of said first closure lap,

a pressure distributing plate extending from said bearing of said clamping lever to the edge of said first closure lap and connected with the latter, and

resilient connecting means permitting a relative swinging movement about a geometrical axis disposed parallel to the swinging axis of said clamping lever, in a direction perpendicular to the face of said first closure lap, on the side of said first closure lap pointing to the edge of said first closure lap and connecting said bearing with said pressure distributing plate.

2. The shoe closure, as set forth in claim, 1, wherein said pressure distributing plate is rigidly secured to said first closure lap merely at its end pointing toward the edge of said first closure lap.

3. The shoe closure, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said pressure ditributing plate extends below said bearing of said clamping lever with its end turned away from the edge of said first closure lap.

4. The shoe closure, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said pressure distributing plate has at its longitudinal side tabs bent towards each other,

the side of said bearing of said clamping lever pointing toward the edge of said closure lap enters between said tabs, and

a resilient member is disposed between said bearing and said pressure distributing plate.

5. The shoe closure, as set forth in claim 4, wherein said resilient member comprises an elastic rubber-like block.

6. The shoe closure, as set forth in claim 4, wherein said resilient member comprises a spring blade secured to one end of said pressure distributing plate.

7. The shoe closure, as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said recesses of said clamping lever have two notchings disposed oppositely each other in longitudinal direction of said clamping lever, so that said recesses and swingably mountd said bearing secured to said 5 6 support rests in one end position of said clamping 9. The shoe closure, as set forth in claim 8, wherein lever in one of said notchings and in the other end said projection of said flaps, is disposed oblique to the position of said clamping lever in the other of said longitudinal direction of said longitudinal slots in the notchings, closed position of said flaps. 8. The shoe closure, as set forth in 'claim 1, which in- 5 The Shoe closure, as Set forth in Claim Which dudes includes an additional bearing, and said support is swingably resilient meafls connecting Said p With Said addi' secured to said additional bearing, nonal beanngssaid additional hearing has longitudinal slots receiving a part of said support defining the swinging axis of 10 References Clted said support and displaceably mounted in Iongitudi- UNITED STATES PATENTS nal direction of said clamping levers, and 218,904 8/1879 Th a 24 68 flaps disposed on said additional bearing and having 2,994,934 8/1961 Kraus 285-409 X at least one projection disposed cross-wise at about 3,163,900 1/1965 Martin 24-70 the center of said longitudinal slots, in the closed 15 3,259,950 7/1966 Teufel 24-70 position of said flaps, in Which the latter engage the foot of said additional bearing, and said projection WILLIAM FELDMAN Pnmary Exammer' divides the range of displaceability of said support. MILTON S. MEHR, Examiner. 

1. A SHOE CLOSURE, PARTICULARLY FOR SKI-BOOTS, AND SKIBOOTS HAVING A FIRST CLOSURE LAP, AND A SECOND CLOSURE LAP, THE SHOE CLOSURE COMPRISING A BEARING, A CLAMPING LEVER HAVING RECESSES AND SWINGABLY MOUNTED ON SAID BEARING AND SAID BEARING SECURED TO SAID FIRST CLOSURE LAP, A SUPPORT SECURED TO SAID SECOND CLOSURE LAP AND CONNECTED SELECTIVELY WITH SAID RECESSES OF SAID CLAMPING LEVER, SAID BEARING OF SAID CLAMPING LEVER BEING CONNECTED WITH SAID FIRST CLOSURE LAP MERELY ON THE SIDE OF THE LATTER AWAY FROM THE EDGE OF SAID FIRST CLOSURE LAP, A PRESSURE DISTRIBUTING PLATE EXTENDING FROM SAID BEARING OF SAID CLAMPING LEVER TO THE EDGE OF SAID FIRST CLOSURE LAP AND CONNECTED WITH THE LATTER, AND RESILIENT CONNECTING MEANS PERMITTING A RELATIVE SWINGING MOVEMENT ABOUT A GEOMETRICAL AXIS DISPOSED PARALLEL TO THE SWINGING AXIS OF SAID CLAMPING LEVER, IN A DIRECTION PERPENDICULAR TO THE FACE OF SAID FIRST CLOSURE LAP, ON THE SIDE OF SAID FIRST CLOSURE LAP POINTING TO THE EDGE OF SAID FIRST CLOSURE LAP AND CONNECTING SAID BEARING WITH SAID PRESSURE DISTRIBUTING PLATE. 